Mechanism for sequentially supplying components selected from a plurality of sources

ABSTRACT

A linear positioning mechanism sequentially shifts an array of articles according to manual or automatic control to release them individually and in selected succession for delivery to a single discharge locality. By way of example, an aligned plurality of stacks of electronic components such as discrete integrated circuits (the stacks respectively comprising electrically identical components which may differ electrically from those in the other stacks of the plurality) is moved according to control data along an axis successively to register selected stacks with a gravity-feed chute. The latter may be part of a componentmounting machine, or be a magazine loadable according to a desired program, to facilitate subsequent sequentially mounting of the components.

United States Patent 1 1 3,591,040

72 Invent r ArthurH-Lambert 2,856,998 10/1958 Hancock 221 129x s sCalir. 3,002,602 10/1961 Giepen 221/122x 1211 ApplN 799.463 3,187,972 6/l965 Shann 227 90 I 1 Filed Feb-14.1969 3,312,370 4/1967 Kolarichetal. 221/123x 1 1 Patented l y 3,348,732 10/1967 Schwarz 221/123 USM 1' [73] Ass'gncc g x g r Primary Examiner-SamuelF Coleman [54] MECHANISM FOR SEQUENTIALLY SUPPLYING COMPONENTS SELECTED FROM A PLURALITY Att0rneys-W. Bigelow Hall, Richard A. Wise and Carl E.

Johnson ABSTRACT: A linear positioning mechanism sequentially shifts an array of articles according to manual or automatic control to release them individually and in selected succession for delivery to a single discharge locality. By way of example, an aligned plurality of stacks of electronic components such as discrete integrated circuits (the stacks respectively comprising electrically identical components which may differ electrically from those in the other stacks of the plurality) is moved according to control data along an axis successively to register selected stacks with a gravity-feed chute. The latter may be part of a component-mounting machine, or be a magazine loadable according to a desired program, to facilitate subsequent sequentially mounting ofthe components.

PATENTEUJUL slsm 3.591.040

SHEET 1 OF 8 Inventor Arthur HLamber-l By his Attorney PATENTED JUL 6 197:

SHEET 2 [IF 8 PATENTEU JUL 6197i 3591.040

SHEET 0F 8 PATENTED JUL 8L9?! 359L040 sum 5 BF 8 ATENTED JUL 6197i SHEET 8 OF 8 PATENTEU JUL 6 I97! SHEET 7 OF 8 PATENIEU JUL sum SHEET 8 OF 8 MECHANISM FOR SEQUENTIALLY SUPPLYING COMPONENTS SELECTED FROM A PLURALITY OF SOURCES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The invention is herein illustrated as applied to a machine for mounting electronic components, especially integrated circuits of the dual in-line lead type, for instance a machine of the type disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 716,727, filed Mar. 28, 1968 in the names of Melvin K. Allen, Ole Gunst, and Arthur Hv Lambert. It will be appreciated that application of the present invention is not thus limited, nor indeed is it necessarily restricted to assembly operations but may well have use in a wide variety of mechanisms for sequencing articles, linearly positioning tools, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to automatic positioning means, and more particularly to article-dispensing mechanism having means for causing a multiple-source container to be sequen tially positioned to deliver articles in an arrangement dictated by manual selection or automatically predetermined by control data, as provided for instance by a punched tape.

In the field of printed-circuit assembly, circuit boards have hitherto been positioned on both X and Y coordinates and relative to a component-inserting head by automatic pro gramming means. The present invention, in one aspect, aims to increase the versatility of such apparatus by enabling a predetermined but variable order of different components to be mounted by a single machine in the selected inserting positions.

In the electronic industry multilead components are commonly of the integrated circuit type. They respectively include and perform the functions of a plurality of hitherto separate components such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. Thus each integrated circuit component may have a nonconducting, molded main body, often rectangular, wherein the several electronic elements are in various predetermined circuit arrangements, and leads project from at least one side for connection with appropriate terminals, usually those of a printed circuit wiring board. As indicated in the Allen et al. application above cited a common physical form of integrated circuit has its opposed depending lead arranged in dual in-line form. While these components may therefore often appear to be interchangeable, in fact they usually are not because their respective circuits are often unique in electrical values and characteristics. Electrical connection of all the leads of the appropriate integrated circuits and only to their proper board terminals, and having due regard for correct end-for-end orientation, is vital to successful operation of the equipment being assembled.

In the inserting machine disclosed in the cited Allen et al. application, the dual in-line integrated circuit components are carried in holders. The integrated circuit components of each holder are there assumed to be all alike electrically and properly oriented, or previously sequenced in the holders to permit feeding according to a desired order of mounting. The present invention greatly increases the versatility of a com ponent-mounting machine and its output by providing an improved feed sequencing or programming means whereby the numerous types of integrated circuit components, for instance up to 20, may be loaded according to type in their respective stacks of a slidable carriage, and the carriage automatically shifted along an axis to release in any desired or selectively predetermined sequence the particular components to be successively mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a main object of this invention to provide in a component-processing machine an improved automatic linearpositioning mechanism for sequencing and dispensing articles.

More especially it is an object of the invention to adapt a component-inserting machine with such mechanism for automatic component selection and delivery thereby insuring reliable assembly of a wide variety of electronic circuitry with a minimum of operator attention and elimination of manual error. v

Preferably, and as herein shown, a plurality of vertically disposed, component-loaded holders or channels is arranged in side-by-side relation in a carriage movable in translation to index successive selected holders with a delivery chute. For determining the degree of translation of the carriage, whether by manual control means or by data control, a plurality of position switches is associate therewith in number and spacing corresponding to that of the holders. Each position switch operates in its own control circuit, the several control circuits being basically alike. Upon actuation of a selected manual switch or reading of a control tape, a channel-selector relay closes contacts in series with a selected position switch, and a relay-controlled index pin retracts from clamping engagement with the carriage. The pin disengagement causes a continuously operative, nonreversing motor to drive a combination clutch-brake transmission to advance the carriage until an actuator thereon closes the selected position switch. Thereupon a stopping relay is actuated to disengage the clutch and rebrake the carriage, and the index pin now locks the carriage in its new position for delivery of another component from the selected holder, via the chute, to component-inserting instru- The foregoing and other features of the invention, together with novel details and combination of parts, will now be more particularly described in connection with an illustrated embodiment, and with reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. I is a view in front elevation, of a variably sequenced machine for inserting dual in-line electronic components in circuit boards;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the head of component insertion mechanism, and a vertical section of associated component feed mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of a portion of the inserting mechanism shown in FIG. 1 and a carriage of the feed.

mechanism for laterally shifting a plurality of component holders with respect thereto;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the carriage and inserting means shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with mechanism for shifting and locking the carriage;

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic diagram ofa typical control circuit portion associated with each carriage-stop position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of brake and clutch mechanism for translating the carriage, associated electric controls being shown schematically;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the carriage-locking means and illustrates its relation to the drive mechanism of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation, largely in vertical section, showing carriage-shifting mechanism and one of a series of carriage-positioning switches.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Only so much of an integrated-circuit-component-inserting head generally designated 10 (FIGS. 1-5) will be described herein as is essential to an understanding of the present invention, it being recognized that the head structure for present purposes, is substantially as fully disclosed in the Allen et al. application referred to above.

Extending upwardly from the top rear of a workbench or cabinet 12 is a pair of laterally spaced overhanging brackets 14 to the front portions of which is secured a vertical plate 16 (FIGS. 3-5) carrying horizontal guideways 18. A laterally shiftable carriage assembly 20 includes a pair of vertically spaced, parallel bars 22 (FIG. 3) respectively fitted with rollers 24 arranged to ride in the guideways 18. The carriage assembly further includes a transparent vertical retainer plate 26 to the bottom of which is secured a guide rail 28 engageable with guide rolls 29. For removably retaining a plurality of vertically disposed, reloadable, channel-type holders 30 of integrated circuit components C (FIGS. 1 and 3-5) side-byside and in communication with the upper ends of vertical carriage channels 31, respectively, upstanding brackets 33 are provided with a cross strap 35. The components C in each holder 30 are uniformly oriented endwise and electrically; they are classified as being alike within one holder, but in another holder its like-classified components may all have a uniform but different electrical classification. Accordingly, as will hereinafter be explained, it is the sequential lateral positioning of the carriage assembly 20 and its array of components C with which this invention is especially concerned in order that preselected channels 31, along with their replenishable holders 30, may successively release a com ponent and the head 10 thus be automatically and continu ously supplied with the desired order of components for mounting.

For releasably retaining the vertically slidable components C of each type in their respective carriage channels 31, a carriage-locating plate 32 is secured to the bottom rear of the carriage assembly 20 and is bored to slidably receive a plurality of spring-pressed retaining pins 34, one for each channel 31. The arrangement is such that a front end of the pin 34 is urged to project into retaining position beneath the lowermost component C in each channel 31 but may be yieldably retracted rearwardly to releasing position by means of its head 36 as will hereinafter be described. As noted in FIG. 5 the carriagelocating plate 32 is also formed with a horizontal row of laterally spaced holes 38, their spacing and number corresponding to the several channels 31 and respectively adapted to receive a conical locking pin 40 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 8) when the latter is actuated as subsequently explained.

For mechanically effecting lateral movement of the carriage assembly 20 in both directions, mechanism primarily shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, is employed. A unidirectional, continuously operable motor 42 (FIG. 7) when connected to an energy source operates through brake-clutch means to be described to rotate a pinion 44 journaled in a housing 46 on the bench 12 and meshing with a rack 48 horizontally secured to the assembly 20. The motor 42 drives a pulley 50 coupled to an endless direct-drive belt 52 and to an endless reverse-drive belt 54. The direct-drive belt 52, through a conventional electromagnetic clutch 56, continuously rotates in one direction an upper shaft 58 journaled in the housing 46 and carrying a spline gear 60. The reverse-drive belt 54, through a conventional electromagnetic clutch 62, rotates in the same direction, a lower shaft 64 journaled in the housing 46 and carrying a lower spline gear 66 meshing with the gear for reversely rotating the latter. The arrangement of electrical controls accordingly is such that, as will be later mentioned with reference to FIG. 6, one of the clutches 56 or 62 will be energized for driving the pinion 44 clockwise or counterclockwise when an electromagnetic brake 68 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9) is in brake-released condition.

As indicated in FIG. 7, signals for sequentially actuating the brake 68 and the clutch 56 or 62 are derived from reading of control data, as from the punched tape of a digital computer 70, or when preferred, from a manual control board 72 (FIG. 1), both modes including a responsive channel-selection switch 74 (FIG. 6). It will be understood that for the sake of simplification FIG. 6 shows only one of the basic circuits of the electrical control system, an identical one being provided for each of the aligned component channels 31 ofthe carriage assembly 20. Thus, for instance, while FIG. 6 shows only one clutch, it will be understood to refer to either the clutch 56 or 627 Similarly FIG. 6 shows a single position switch 80 (FIGS. 7 and 9) which is one of a series of spaced positioning switches 80, one for each channel 31 and its holder 30 in the carriage assembly 20, mounted in a horizontal row within a switch box 82 (FIGS. 7 and 9) secured to the bottom of the plate 16. The position switches respectively include exposed, depressible contacts 84 spaced laterally like the respective channels 31 and arranged to be operated by an actuator 86 fixedly carried by the carriagelocating plate 32.

As in the above'mentioned Allen et al. application the head 10 is to be supplied with the components C fed endwise and in single file through a vertical chute 90 (FIG. 3) having a curved end portion 92 wherein preferably a downwardly directed airstream regulated by a valve 94 assists horizontal advance of the components to transfer mechanism 96 (FIG. 3). The latter, as heretofore, presents each component to the head-inserting instrumentalities. In the present machine, for successively selecting the components C thus to be fed the carriage assembly 20 is laterally shifted by the mechanical means above described, either in a single direction of lateral movement or in a combination of movement in opposite directions along a lateral axis, until the manual control or automatic control data cause a selected one of the holders 30 and its channel 31 to be locked in register with the mouth of the chute'90, whereupon the bottom component C in the channel 31 is automatically released. For this purpose, in response to the tape reading or manual actuation, the channel-selector switch 74 (FIG. 6) energizes a particular channel-selector relay 96 thereby initiating a series of events next to be described briefly.

Channel-selector relay contacts 100, 101 close respectively in series with the selected position switch 80 (FIGS. 6 and 7 (and with none of the other position switches 80) and a relay 98. Hence, to permit desired shifting of the carriage, the locking pin 40 is retracted rearwardly from engagement with a carriage index hole 38 by the piston rod of a two-way pistoncylinder device 102 (FIGS. 5 and 8) governed by a control valve 103 (FIG. 8) actuated by the energized relay 98. This retraction closes a limit switch 104 (FIGS. 5,6 and 8) thus ac tuating the appropriate one of the clutches 56 and 62 to drive the carriage assembly 20 laterally. The assembly 20 moves laterally until its actuator 86 depresses the previously selected position switch 80 associated with the selected channel 31 and its holder 30 whereupon a stopping relay 106 (FIG. 6) is energized to open contacts 105. This causes the relay 98 to open whereupon the limit switch 104 reopens disengaging the driving clutch 56 or 62 and contacts 107 close to actuate the brake 68 promptly to stop carriage translation. Now the pin 40 is caused by the piston-cylinder 102 to lock in the carriagelocking hole 38 corresponding to the desired channel registration with the chute 90. The conical head of the pin 40 serves more precisely to register the selected channel 31 than the brake 68 alone. A normally closed limit switch 109 opens and deenergizes the stopping relay 106 and allows the next cycle of operation of the inserting head 10 on the lowermost component C which has just been released down the chute 90 as next explained.

In response to arrival of the carriage assembly 20 in its newly indexed and locked position (and preferably upon an electrical signal that the previous component insertion was properly completed) escapement means somewhat comparable to that disclosed in the above cited Allen, et al. application is at once operated to control feeding of only the single component C from the selected channel 31. Referring to FIG. 3, the carriage assembly 20 is formed with a plurality of bores 110 (one only shown in FIG. 3) one for each channel 31, respectively arranged upon positioning of the carriage to receive a lock pin 112 slidably extending through the plate 16 and yieldably connected to the piston of an electrically con trolled piston-cylinder device 114. Each bore 110 is spaced above its corresponding retaining pin 34 to enable the lock pin 112 to engage and hold the next to endmost component (I in the channel 31 when the lowermost component is released by the pin 34. When the lock pin 112 is disengaged as shown in FIG. 3 the pin 34 is in its advanced component-retaining position but is retracted to release the bottom component from the channel as soon as the lock pin 112 is advanced. To this end a locking lever 116 (FIG. 3) pivoted to frame structure at 118 has an upper end operatively connected to the lock pin 112 and a lower forked end bears on a washer 120 yieldingly positioned on a retractable rod 122 by a compression spring 124. The spring 124 is confined between the washer and a fixed guide block 126 in which the rod 122 is axially slidable, the limit of its advance being adjustably determined by a stop nut on one end thereof. An enlarged head of the rod 122 is disposed on retraction to latch with and retract the pin head 36 to remove the pin 34 from component-retaining position when the pin 112 is advanced by operation of the device.

The machine preferably includes a lead-conditioning zone at 130 (FIG. 3) of the type hitherto included in the machine disclosed in the Allen et al. application referred to above. Also, it will be understood that the head is arranged to mount the leads of each component C in the preformed leadreceiving holes of a workpiece, for instance a printed wiring board B positioned above lead-clinching means 132 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Though not essential, versatility of the machine is desirably further increased by the provision of automatic X-Y positioning means including motors 134 (FIG. 1) and 136 (FIG. 2) for locating a board-supporting cross-slide table 138 relative to the head 10.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that this invention enables successive integrated circuit components to be sequentially selected from the appropriate channels 31 and mounted, according to preplanned programming, in the circuit board B. if any holder 30 becomes empty, it may be easily replaced by a fully loaded one carrying components of exactly the same integrated circuitry, or any other desired characteristics. Minimum operator attendance is assured.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. ln a dual in-line component-mounting machine having an inserting head, automatic component-feeding means for successively delivering integrated circuit components of different electrical characteristics in predetermined order via a chute to said head, said feed means comprising a carriage including a series of vertical channels arranged side-by-side, means on the carriage for removably retaining a plurality of componentsupplying holders respectively in alignment with the carriage channels, mechanism for laterally shifting the carriage, datacontrolled means operative at termination of an operating cycle of said head for causing said mechanism to register a selected carriage channel with said chute, and escapement means including a component retainer associated with each channel and yieldingly movable to release a component from the selected channel whereby that component is selectively fed to said head for insertion.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carriageshifting mechanism includes a continuously operative, unidirectional motor, a gear operatively connected to the carriage, and electromagnetic brake and clutch means for coupling the motor to said gear for reversibly driving and stopping the carriage, said electromagnetic means being operatively connected to said data-controlled means.

3. In a machine for mounting successive electronic components of the type respectively having a plurality ofleads extending in generally parallel dual in-line relation from their bodies, means for conducting the components endwise into an operating zone of the machine, a multichanneled carriage for supporting a plurality of detachable component holders respectively in gravity-feeding relation to its channels, means mounting the carriage to enable the delivery ends of its respective channels successively to be registered with the component-conducting means, carriage-moving means for positioning successive delivery ends of selected channels in registry with the conducting means, escapement means for releasing a component to said conducting means from each selected channel when registered therewith, said carriagemoving means including motor-driven means for reversibly translating the carriage on said guide means, and electric control means comprising a data-readmg computer operatively connected to the motor-driven means and to circuitry including a series of selector-positioning switches corresponding in number and spacing to the carriage channels, said switches being arranged to be operated successively by an actuator mounted on the carriage whereby the carriage is stopped when the computer-selected position switch is actuated for delivering a selected component from the selected channel to said component-conducting means. 

1. In a dual in-line component-mounting machine having an inserting head, automatic component-feeding means for successively delivering integrated circuit components of different electrical characteristIcs in predetermined order via a chute to said head, said feed means comprising a carriage including a series of vertical channels arranged side-by-side, means on the carriage for removably retaining a plurality of component-supplying holders respectively in alignment with the carriage channels, mechanism for laterally shifting the carriage, data-controlled means operative at termination of an operating cycle of said head for causing said mechanism to register a selected carriage channel with said chute, and escapement means including a component retainer associated with each channel and yieldingly movable to release a component from the selected channel whereby that component is selectively fed to said head for insertion.
 2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carriage-shifting mechanism includes a continuously operative, unidirectional motor, a gear operatively connected to the carriage, and electromagnetic brake and clutch means for coupling the motor to said gear for reversibly driving and stopping the carriage, said electromagnetic means being operatively connected to said data-controlled means.
 3. In a machine for mounting successive electronic components of the type respectively having a plurality of leads extending in generally parallel dual in-line relation from their bodies, means for conducting the components endwise into an operating zone of the machine, a multichanneled carriage for supporting a plurality of detachable component holders respectively in gravity-feeding relation to its channels, means mounting the carriage to enable the delivery ends of its respective channels successively to be registered with the component-conducting means, carriage-moving means for positioning successive delivery ends of selected channels in registry with the conducting means, escapement means for releasing a component to said conducting means from each selected channel when registered therewith, said carriage-moving means including motor-driven means for reversibly translating the carriage on said guide means, and electric control means comprising a data-reading computer operatively connected to the motor-driven means and to circuitry including a series of selector-positioning switches corresponding in number and spacing to the carriage channels, said switches being arranged to be operated successively by an actuator mounted on the carriage whereby the carriage is stopped when the computer-selected position switch is actuated for delivering a selected component from the selected channel to said component-conducting means. 